WHY

GUATEMALA

Guatemala, Heart of the Mayan world, is an alive, magical, mystic, and ancestral country. Its history dates from four thousand years ago when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy is still evident in the traditions and culture of its habitants.

Guatemala, Heart of the Mayan world, is an alive, magical, mystic, and ancestral country. Its history dates from four thousand years ago when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy is still evident in the traditions and culture of its habitants.Guatemala counts with many natural resources, an extraordinary cultural richness as well as a privileged geographic location. The distances from place to place are so short that you can visit different regions during the same trip. Between its past and present, it is a unique country, full of adventure and diverse activities for every visitor.

Guatemala, Heart of the Mayan world, is an alive, magical, mystic, and ancestral country. Its history dates from four thousand years ago when the Mayan civilization emerged, and whose legacy is still evident in the traditions and culture of its habitants.Guatemala counts with many natural resources, an extraordinary cultural richness as well as a privileged geographic location. The distances from place to place are so short that you can visit different regions during the same trip. Between its past and present, it is a unique country, full of adventure and diverse activities for every visitor.Guatemala is known as the country of the eternal spring, its fair weather allows you to visit it in any time of the year. It also offers various accesses from any part of the world by its two international airports: La Aurora, located in the city and Mundo Maya, located in Petén.

The colorful handicraft markets and regional costumes, the hospitality, and the beauty of the landscapes that frame the volcanoes, lakes, rivers, and mountains make Guatemala a place to be kept in the visitors` heart. Not to mention that the natural, cultural and historic heritage is evident in every corner of the country.

country.Guatemala holds most of the archeological sites of the Mayan culture which are surrounded by and impressive flora and fauna, and are considered true lungs of the humanity. The magic and mystery of the Mayan world subsist in millenary cities like Tikal, Yaxhá, Aguateca, Mirador, Quiriguá, and Q´uma´rkaj among others.

Additionally, Guatemala offers advantages for some specific segments in tourism; like its strategic location and the facilities in its land and maritime terminals which make it an important destination for cruise ships from the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts. Its pacific coast resources make Guatemala as one of the best places of the world to sailfish fishing. By its More than 720 species of birds, Guatemala is a wonderful and important destination for birdwatching; besides, the country has all the characteristics to do business activities, and is also the ideal place for national and international conventions.

The richness and diversity of Guatemala offer you many ways to enjoy your vacations or business travel, since you may find different tourism segments along its seven wonderful regions.

The handicrafts are a delicate expression of the Guatemalan culture. The visitor may find a wide variety of handicrafts beautifully made from every region of the country. Many products can be bought by accessible prices: handmade, colorful textiles, carved wood, silver, jade jewelry, candles, pottery, blown glass, leather articles, and many more handicrafts that distinguish the cultural diversity of this small, but great country.

Visiting the colorful markets of the indigenous regions is mandatory, especially the ones in Chichicastenango, San Francisco el Alto, and the diverse towns around Lake Atitlán, among others. The Central Market of Guatemala City, the Handicraft Market located close to the International Airport La Aurora and the Handicraft Market of Antigua Guatemala offer a wide selection of products and handcrafts.

Flavors of Guatemala

The Guatemalan gastronomy has pre-Hispanic roots and displays a colorful mosaic of flavors and exquisite aromas. Each region of the country owns dishes made with ancestral recipes in which are combined a diversity of spices, fruits, and vegetables representative of the country.

The meals that best represent the Guatemalan culinary culture and that have been declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation are: Jocón, Pepián. Kaq´ik, and Plátano en mole. Other meals worthy to mention are: Subanik, Gallo en Chicha, sweet and salty tamales, Pollo con loroco, rellenitos de Plátano, torrejas, buñuelos and the traditional candies of Antigua Guatemala. Every November 1st, Day of all Saints, a meal where vegetables of pre-Hispanic origin and meats of European origin are mixed to form the traditional Fiambre.

Geography

The Guatemalan territory has an extension of 108,889 kilometers. It is furrowed by numerous rivers and is covered by tropical jungles, woody plains, and many lakes. The low jungles in the North of Petén are rich in wilderness, fine wood, rubber trees and petroleum. Two mountain ranges cross the country. One is the Niquihil of Sierra Madre in San Marcos, and the other in Huehuetenango. Both form the biggest elevation in Central America.

The volcanoes in the country are a characteristic feature. Three of them remain active. That offers spectacular landscapes. Cavers enjoy exploring the numerous caves that expand many kilometers underground and where huge stalactites, stalagmites, and other unusual rock formations cover the beautiful structures. It is worthy to mention that the access to such caves is by underground rivers.

Lenguage

The official language is Spanish. Other 21 languages of Mayan, Xinca, and Garífuna origin are spoken as well.

Currency

There are 13,344,770 habitants. The habitants are divided into 21 ethnic groups of Mayan, Ladinos, Garifunas, and Xincas. (Updated in 2007).

Currency

The official currency is the Quetzal (Q)/ Q1.00= 100 cents. In Guatemala, a variety of credit cards are accepted, except for the credit card Maestro. Traveler’s checks are also accepted. In the International Airport La Aurora an exchange house can be found. You may visit www.globalexchange.com to verify the currencies that are accepted.